Israel this month began feeling the effects of a global shortage of staple foods such as rice and flour that has already led to rioting in some developing nations.
Israeli analysts originally believed the Jewish state may not be affected by the shortages, but local media reported at the weekend that prices of rice, flour, sugar, coffee, oil and other essential foods are expected to rise by up to 80 percent in the coming days.
Many grocery stores across Israel have started limiting the quantity of rice that customers may purchase.
Officials have blamed the mounting global crisis on exploding population rates that are outpacing food production, increased cultivation of crops for biofuels and natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
Israeli experts insisted that Israel could avoid any serious damage to local food supplies by beginning to grow its own wheat.